Cracks in the Facade

Nicole and Andrew stood frozen in place, their hands still intertwined, as the figure before them smirked. Andrew's ex-girlfriend, Natasha, leaned casually against a lamp post, arms crossed, as if she had been waiting for them. The air between them turned thick, suffocating, as Nicole felt Andrew's grip on her hand loosen so slightly.

"Well, well, well." Natasha said, tilting her head. "Didn't expect to see me, did you?"

Andrew's jaw tightened. "What do you want, Natasha?"

Nicole glanced between them, sensing an under-current of something deeper than mere awkwardness. Natasha's gaze flickered to her then back to Andrew. "I was just passing by, and… I guess I was feeling nostalgic."

Nicole opened her mouth to speak, but Andrew's voice cut through. "Nicole, go home."

She blinked, stunned. "What?"

Andrew's eyes were unreadable. "Just go home."

The words hit her like a slap. He wasn't standing by her. He wasn't protecting her. Instead, he was pushing her away. Nicole hesitated, searching his face for any sign of the boy she thought she knew, but his expression remained cold and distant.

She swallowed the lump in her throat and turned away, walking off without another word. She refused to let Natasha see how much that hurt.

As Nicole walked away, she didn't go far. Something in her gut told her to stay. Pressing herself against the wall of a nearby building as she listened to their conversation.

"You still haven't told her, have you?" Natasha's voice was sharp.

Andrew let out a bitter laugh. "Of course not."

"She's going to find out eventually," Natasha continued. "And when she does, she'll look at you the same way your father did."

Nicole clapped a hand over her mouth to keep from gasping. What did she mean by that?

Andrew's voice dropped. "You don't know what you are talking about."

"Oh, I do. Because I was there, Andrew. And so was David. We know what happened. We know why he left."

Silence.

Nicole felt her heart pounding. What secret was so terrible that Andrew was willing to push her away to keep it buried?

Nicole met Violet the next morning, her hands shaking as she relayed everything she had heard.

Violet frowned. "Andrew's ex actually said that?"

Nicole nodded. "And she said David knows too. I need to find out the truth."

Violet exhaled. "If you want to get to the bottom of this, you need to talk to David."

Nicole agreed. But deep down, she was afraid. Afraid that whatever Andrew was hiding was something she wouldn't be able to forgive.

Later that day, David found Nicole walking alone in the hallway. His expression was serious. "Nicole, we need to talk."

She looked up at him, confused. "About what?"

"Andrew." David said carefully. Something's off with him. I know you've noticed it."

Nicole nodded slowly." Yeah. But he won't tell me anything."

David hesitated before lowering his voice. "Natasha…. She knows something about him. Something big. And I think its messing with his head."

Nicole's breath hitched. "What is it?"

David looked conflicted. "It's not my place to say. But Nicole, if he's shutting you out, don't push. He's not…. dealing with things well."

David sighed. "Then, be careful. Because whatever this is… it's dark."

Meanwhile, Andrew had been acting off ever since. He was distant, barely acknowledging Nicole's texts. When they met at school, he was short with his words, avoiding her gaze.

"What's going on with you.? She finally asked as they sat together outside. "Ever since last night, you've been acting weird."

Andrew rubbed his temple, his eyes dark with something she couldn't quite place. "It's nothing, Nicole. Just drop it."

" No," she said firmly. "I know when something's wrong. You can talk to me."

Andrew exhaled sharply, his irritation flashing. "Not everything is about us, Nicole."

The words stung. He had never spoken to her like that before. She swallowed hard, nodding. "Okay."

Andrew sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I didn't mean it like that. I just… I need time to think."

"About what?"

He didn't answer. But instead, he stood up. "Should we leave or you staying?"

"We can."  Nicole stood up still unsatisfied.

The air between them was thick with unspoken words as Andrew and Nicole walked side by side towards the school gate. As they exited the gate, a familiar figure stepped into their path.

Andrew stopped abruptly. His entire body went rigid.

Nicole's eyes darted between Andrew and the man standing before them. There was no mistaking the sharp jawline, the tired eyes that mirrored Andrew's own.

That was Andrew's father.

"Andrew…" His voice low, almost pleading. "Please just give me a moment."

Nicole felt Andrew tense beside her. His fingers curled into fists. His breathing became measured, controlled- too controlled. It was the kind of control that masked deep, boiling rage.

"You have no right to stand in front of me," Andrew said, his voice dangerously quiet.

His father took a tentative step forward. "I know I have no right. But I need to talk to you. There are things you don't understand. Things I…"

"I don't want to hear it." Andrew's tone was sharper now, edged with pain he rarely let show. "Whatever excuse you have, whatever story you think will change things- it won't. you left, and nothing you say will undo that."

Nicole swallowed, glancing between them. She could feel the weight of their history pressing in on her, suffocating and unresolved.

"Andrew… maybe just hear him out," she ventured cautiously. "You might not forgive him but at least…."

"Nicole, stay out of this." Andrew's words were clipped, final.

She flinched at the coldness in his tone but refused to back down. "Andrew, you don't have to forgive him, but don't you deserve to know the truth?"

Michael's gaze flickered with something- regret, sorrow, maybe even desperation. "She's right, son. If you just give me five minutes…."

Andrew took a step back. "You had your chance. I don't owe you anything."

Then, without another word, he turned on his heel and walked away.

Nicole stood frozen, watching his retreating figure disappear into thin air. Her chest tightened.

A heavy silence settled between her and the man now left standing before her. He looked lost, his hands falling to his sides as if all the fight had drained from him.

"He's not ready to hear me out yet," Andrew's father murmured, more to himself than to Nicole.

Nicole exhaled slowly, steading herself. Then she met his eyes, the same eyes that Andrew had filled with something unspoken.

"Then maybe," she said carefully, "you should tell me instead."

Michael looked at Nicole astonished; eyes wide opened.

Will Nicole handle the truth? Or will this be the end of something beautiful?